Chidambaram arrest Live Updates: CBI officials asked just 12 questions; they are not prepared, says Sibal

Chidambaram arrest Live Updates: CBI officials asked just 12 questions; they are not prepared, says Sibal

Chidambaram arrest updates: The CBI has produced former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram before a special CBI court in a corruption case related to INX Media scam. Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, his son Karti Chidambaram and wife Nalini Chidambaram are also present in the CBI courtroom where Special CBI Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar will hear the arguments. Earlier today, the CBI questioned him for three hours in the INX Media case. Chidambaram had addressed the media at the Congress headquarters before his arrest on Wednesday, saying neither he nor any of his family members had been named in the INX Media case. Congress MP and Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram said his father had been arrested to "create a spectacle on TV and to tarnish his image and that of the Congress party".

Follow all the latest updates on P Chidamabaram's arrest on BusinessToday.In live blog

4.44 PM: "The only way to judge the gravity of the offence is to judge the length of the sentence. The entire scheme of CrPC is based on sentence up to seven years or beyond seven years. They call it mammoth, monumental offence. The sentence is less than 7 years," said Singhvi.

4.42 PM: "They talk about the gravity of the offence. Look at March 23, 2018 judgment of the Delhi HC. Look at the observation on FIPB clearance. The statements of six secretaries of the FIPB, one of whom, Subbarao later became RBI Governor. None of the officials disclosed any influence exerted by P Chidambaram. No evidence of any influence exerted. Statement of secretaries says that the history of the FEMA violations was not disclosed to the board. That's a civil penalty. Here we are talking about a criminal trial," said Abhishek Singhvi.

4.39 PM: "Investigation agencies must make out a strong case. Satisfy the court that withouT custody it would be impossible for a police agency to continue the investigation. Remand is discouraged in law. Allowed only in exceptional circumstances," said Abhishek Singhvi.

4.32 PM: Abhishek Manu Singhvi in court: "Non cooperation is if probe agency calls me five times and I don't go, non cooperation is not refusing to give the answer they like to hear. They called P Chidambaram once, and he went. Where is non cooperation?"

4.29 PM: "Those six persons - FIPB are the deciders. The ex-FM was only the approver. None of the six persons has been arrested. Whether they are not in public life or are blue-eyed boys-- they are not arrested. But the person who had only approved is arrested," Singhvi said.

4.25 PM: Abhishek Manu Singhvi in court: "CBI's entire case is based on Indrani Mukherjea's evidence and a case diary."

4.21 PM: Kapil Sibal in court: "If a judge has taken seven months to deliver the judgement (Delhi HC judgment rejecting anticipatory bail of Chidambaram), then is that the protected umbrella Chidambaram got? We are aggrieved." - ANI

4.19 PM: This is the case which has nothing to do with evidence but with something else: Kapil Sibal.

4.15 PM: CBI asked just 12 questions from Chidambaram: Sibal

Last night CBI said that they wanted to interrogate Chidambaram, they didn't start the interrogation till 12 noon and asked him only 12 questions. By now they should know what questions to ask. The questions had nothing to do with Chidambaram. - ANI

4.10 PM: Kapil Sibal in court

"The FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) approval is given by six government secretaries, no one has been arrested. This is a case of documentary evidence. He (Chidambaram) has never skipped interrogation."

Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, arguing for P Chidambaram, says the accused in this case is Karti Chidambaram who was granted regular bail by the Delhi High Court in March 2018, challenges in the Supreme Court not interfered. Other accused also got bail. Peter and Indrani Mukerjea on default bail. --ANI

3.52 PM: Chidambaram is non-cooperative: Solicitor General

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta arguing for CBI in Court says "this is a classic case of money laundering. We are at the pre chargesheet stage, material with him, he remained non cooperative".

3.46 PM: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta tells the court "right to silence is constitutional right and I have no issue, but he is non cooperative, he was evasive to questioning".

Heavy security outside Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office from where P Chidambaram will be taken to court for hearing; water cannons also deployed outside the office.

Delhi: Heavy security outside Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office from where P. Chidambaram will be taken to court for hearing; water cannons also deployed outside the office. pic.twitter.com/QOOnQXQU1u

Rakesh Ahuja, the Investigating Officer (IO) in the INX Media case has been transferred back to Delhi Police. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has clarified that Ahuja's term in ED was over 3 weeks back, ANI reported.

2.41 pm: The way matter has been handled is very depressing, says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

"Sometimes the process in incorrect, I'm not talking about legality, but Chidambaram is a senior politician, he is a former finance minister &amp; home minister. The way his matter has been handled, that is very depressing, that's very bad,&amp; sad as well," said West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.

2.33 pm: Congress workers protest over Chidambaram's arrest

Congress workers in West Bengal staged road blockades and organised rallies in various parts of the state on Thursday to protest against the arrest of former Union finance minister and party's senior leader P Chidambaram. Youth Congress activists, carrying posters and placards, were seen raising slogans against the BJP-led central government in Kolkata and several other districts, including North 24 Paraganas, South 24 Paraganas, Malda, Murshidabad and Birbhum. The protesters claimed that the Centre was pursuing "vendetta politics" against Congress leaders. -- PTI

DMK President MK Stalin in Chennai on P Chidambaram arrested by CBI: I too saw how CBI jumped the wall &amp; arrested him, it's a matter of shame for India, it is political vendetta. Chidambaram had asked for anticipatory bail but he was arrested, it's condemnable. pic.twitter.com/iaRZ1RGU1d

The CBI is seeking legal consultation to finalise the remand application and court procedures, reports India Today. The remand could be sought on the ground of non-cooperation, enormity of evidences and paucity of time, and lesser time given for questioning today.

2.02 pm: What happened last night?

As per India Today sources, Chidambaram did not speak with CBI officials after his arrest on Thursday

Doctors later asked him few questions like if he was suffering from any ailments or was he on medication?

During CBI officers' questioning, his answers were reportedly short

He was left in lock-up number 5, which was guarded by two CBI officials.

1.20 pm: P Chidambaram's replies to CBI questions evasive

Former finance minister P. Chidambaram who was quizzed by the CBI for 2:30 hours Thursday remained non-cooperative with the agency officials and was evasive in his replies as well, according to sources. The probe agency officials have said that it could be one of the grounds on which they can seek his custody. The former finance minister maintained that when he joined the investigation in 2018, he was called as a witness. He also denied pressuring the FIPB officials adding that he did not interfere in his son Karti's business. Chidambaram refused to recall any meeting with Indrani and Peter Mukerjea in March/April.

12.50 pm: During his questioning, the Congress leader was reportedly grilled over Indrani Mukerjea's statement, who had alleged she and her husband met Chidambaram him in the north block and subsequently Karti Chidambaram in a five star hotel.

12.32 pm: Karti Chidambaram Thursday said that he will join DMK protest against abrogation of Article 370 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. "I will go to Jantar Mantar for protest. The protest there is about Article 370 but if the alliance partners raise this issue (of P Chidambaram's arrest), of course, we will raise the issue as well. Our whole party, alliance partners and DMK leader MK Stalin have condemned the arrests yesterday," he told reporters at the Delhi airport.

12.20 pm: "Law will take its own course, the court takes decisions as per law,the party,the govt has no role in it. It's the court, not government that decides where to put the people who indulge in corruption," said Union Minister of State for Home,G Kishan Reddy on P Chidambaram arrested by CBI.

Union Minister of State for Home,G Kishan Reddy on P Chidambaram arrested by CBI: Law will take its own course, the court takes decisions as per law,the party,the govt has no role in it. It's the court, not government that decides where to put the people who indulge in corruption pic.twitter.com/w5h6l1MIjF

11.30 am: 15 youth and leaders of Chennai district unit of Tamil Nadu Congress have begun protesting outside the party office.

11.20 am: Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Thursday said that former finance minister P. Chidambaram's arrest in INX Media case is "deeply distressing" adding that "we are very confident there is no case against him." "It's deeply distressing that all that happened (arrest). The matter is listed for hearing on Friday. They could have waited until then to see what the Supreme Court wants to do. We are very confident that there is no case against Chidambaram," Khurshid told ANI.

11.18 am: "There are people who are accused of many offences and are roaming free. Those who have FIPB approval are not being touched. And someone who has worked for the nation for 40 years is being projected as running away from the law," said Congress leader Randeep Surjewala.

11.15 am: Congress leader Randeep Surjewala Thursday said that the party is with P. Chidambaram and is sure of his innocence in INX Media case.

10. 40 am: Matter of great concern to us as legal fraternity members: Kapil Sibal

"It's a matter of great concern to us as members of legal fraternity, also it should be a matter of concern as citizens. All we wanted was a hearing, the presiding judge chose instead to say that I am sending the file to CJI. Isn't a citizen entitled to be heard?" said Kapil Sibal. -- ANI

"I've never met Peter Mukerjea, I've never met Indrani Mukerjea in my life. The only time I've seen Indrani was when CBI took me to confront her. I have had no interaction with anyone directly or indirectly connected with their company," said Karti Chidambaram in New Delhi. -- ANI

10.30 am: "This is not merely targeting of my father but the targeting of Congress party. I will go to Jantar Mantar to protest," said Karti Chidambaram in Delhi on P Chidambaram arrested by CBI.

Karti Chidambaram in Delhi on P Chidambaram arrested by CBI: This is not merely targeting of my father but the targeting of Congress party. I will go to Jantar Mantar to protest. pic.twitter.com/IpDJbwOHk5

10.28 am: No legal basis of arrest of P. Chidambaram, says son Karti in New Delhi

Former finance P. Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram Thursday told reporters outside the Delhi airport that there was no legal ground for arresting his father and also said that the former finance minister never evaded any summons.

10.23 am: CBI to start quizzing Chidambaram at 10 am

The CBI will begin questioning P Chidambaram at 10 am. Chidambaram will be confronted with FIPB files, reports IndiaToday.In. The period under question is March - May 2007.

Chidambaram will be also quizzed with Indrani Mukerjea's statement. Mukerjea had said that after FIPB rejected INX media request to bring the FDI, the couple (Indrani and Peter) met him in the north block and subsequently Karti Chidambaram in a five star hotel.

9.45 AM: Chidambaran should not have behaved like this: Satya Pal Singh

Satya Pal Singh, Baghpat BJP MP: Chidambaran ji is a former Union Finance,&amp;Home Minister, he is an intellectual &amp; knows the law, he should not have behaved like this after court's order.What happened was not good, had he surrendered earlier, his dignity would have remained intact pic.twitter.com/9TQntdZvpG

"It's deeply distressing that all that had to happen, there was no question of not being answerable to the law. The matter is listed on Friday, they could have waited till then to see what the Supreme Court wants to do," says Khurshid.

Salman Khurshid, Congress on P Chidambaram arrested by CBI: It's deeply distressing that all that had to happen, there was no question of not being answerable to the law. The matter is listed on Friday, they could have waited till then to see what the Supreme Court wants to do. pic.twitter.com/STAFJyFlks

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram says the entire drama is being done to divert attention from real issues. "This whole thing is only being done for playing tricks and for voyeurism, and for the pleasure of a few and to divert the attention of the people of India from the serious issues. This is a completely trumped up, made for television, made for a media kind of spectacle." - IANS

8.56 AM: All being done to divert attention from Article 370: Karti

Karti Chidambaram says it (arrest of P Chidambaram by CBI) is being done just to divert attention from the issue of Article 370.

8.30 AM: This has been done only to create a spectacle on TV, says Karti

"This has been done only to create a spectacle on TV &amp; to tarnish the image of Congress party&amp; the former Finance&amp;Home Minister. This is completely trumped-up case in which he has absolutely no connection. We will fight this out politically &amp; legally," says Karti.

Karti Chidambaram in Chennai: This has been done only to create a spectacle on TV &amp; to tarnish the image of Congress party&amp; the former Finance&amp;Home Minister. This is completely trumped-up case in which he has absolutely no connection. We will fight this out politically&amp;legally. https://t.co/doNga6q6rg